God’s Reality
Consider this. Are you living in God’s Reality? Or one of your own making? Here’s one way to do a quick check– do you find yourself merely talking about the good things you believe in? Or do you actually practice the good things you believe in with actions and truth?
In scripture, it says “My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality.” It goes on to say “It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.” (1 John 3:18-20, MSG)
In our modern society, it’s so easy to simply say what you believe. But simply saying what you believe in comes at no cost. It’s dead simple to put something virtuous and ‘righteous sounding’– and ultimately empty– on social media or in a text chain. But are you practicing real love? Another translation of that same verse (NASB) simply states: “Little children, let’s not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.”
I love what the Message translation puts forth in verses 19-20. When we put what we believe into deed and truth, it’s a surefire way to shut down self-criticism– which can be debilitating, and can hinder you from imparting what you have for today.
So what are some practical ways to love in deed and truth? Set out to find at least one person today who you can help. It can be 100% practical and not spiritual at all. But when you live in God’s Reality, even the practical things are guided by the Spirit, and practical things echo in the Heavens.